By Carol Ann Schwartz
Two things from Hadassah’s National Conference last week continue to energize me during these challenging times: the sense of community and the power we have when we act together as Hadassah.
As we hold our collective breath in the face of threats of mass-scale attacks against Israel, on multiple fronts, this positive Hadassah energy means more than ever. I’m a mother, and my oldest lives in Israel, where he may be called up as a reservist to serve in the IDF at any moment. This is the tension — and the love — we hold in our hearts for Israel, for our family.
Whatever happens with Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran in the days ahead, Tisha B’Av will begin Monday evening, when we mourn Jewish tragedies, from the destruction of the First Temple through our own times. A week before Vegas, I gathered with other world Jewish leaders in Buenos Aires to mark the 30th anniversary of the Iran-backed Hezbollah attack on the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA), killing 85 people and injuring many more. One evening, Hadassah International hosted a dinner highlighting the bonds between Hadassah and Argentina, from our medical agreements to the Hadassah medical staff who traveled to Argentina during COVID to share best practices. I could feel the love and support from Hadassah Argentina.
In mourning our historical tragedies, we’re reminded of the resilience of the Jewish people. We will persevere, whatever lies ahead. And we are steadied knowing that Hadassah will do what we always do: provide hope and healing. Rest assured that Hadassah’s hospitals in Israel are prepared for worst-case scenarios, with highly sophisticated emergency protocols in place: for bombings, power or water cutoffs, cyber attacks and mass casualties. Our Youth Aliyah villages are prepared to provide safety and security for our children. We are prepared, even as we pray for peace and for the return of the hostages and, with the help of our generous supporters, continue to expand our emergency response capacities.
In Vegas, signs of our impact and our interconnection were everywhere. I was so moved — by the doctors and nurses from our hospitals and by our patients, including an IDF soldier treated at Hadassah for a war injury and his twin brother, a former Hadassah Ein Kerem cancer patient. I was inspired by Hadassah women from around the country, including our Evolve fellows, the next generation of Hadassah leaders. In the back of my mind, I was remembering my own early days with Hadassah, so proud to head an organization that continues to empower young women.
And I was so honored to host two very special guests: Mina Levin and Shalhevetya (Shelly) Tannenwald from Hadassah Neurim, with their director, Ami Magen. Hadassah Neurim is one of two Hadassah Youth Aliyah villages in Israel, which continue to help put at-risk youth on a path to success. Mina spoke of how Neurim programs teach you how — and give you confidence — to lift yourself up. From a rocky background, she is now both mentor and model to other students in her village.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in her journal about attending Hadassah’s 1955 convention, musing about “a delightful play” about Youth Aliyah, depicting “what the dream of Israel meant to many children throughout the world.” In 1952, she recorded a visit to a Hadassah chapter. “Hadassah, as an organization, does so much good work both here and in Israel that it is always a pleasure to meet with its members,” she wrote.
I know just how she felt. As we mourn the past in the face of an uncertain present, we continue to come together to build a future on the foundation of our Hadassah ideals and vision, one that’s already made an impact on so many lives — here in the US, in Israel and around the world.
B’yachad nerapeh. Together we will heal.